What does frame (versus wheel) sizing mean?
A. Many people confuse frame sizing with wheel sizing. Generally, kids’ bikes are measured by the size of the wheel in inches. Adult bikes, which have either 26″ or 700 c wheels, are measured by frame size. With the exception of our Kids’ Pathfinder and some women’s bikes, L.L.Bean bikes will have either 26″ wheels on mountain bikes and cruisers, or “700 c” wheels on hybrid/cross bikes. Adult road bikes are measured in centimeters. The bike measurements listed on our Web site and in our catalogs refer to frame size which is designated by the length of the seat tube on the frame (the part that holds the seat) and can range from 13″ to 22″. The top tube, the highest part of the frame which runs parallel to the ground, will be higher or lower depending on frame size.
